SEVERAL OFFICIAL inquiries have been initiated into a serious incident at Galway docks yesterday which resulted in three men being hospitalised.
The three were on board a former Aran islands passenger ferry, Clann na nOileán, which was being loaded by crane on to a cargo ship when the upper sling snapped. The vessel dropped some 12m (40ft) into the water.
The vessel came upright after the fall. However the impact was severe, and the three men,including a father and son from Rossaveal and Galway, were injured. Medical assistance was organised at the scene by Galway harbourmaster Capt Brian Sheridan, his pilots and the Galway fire service.
Two were taken by ambulance and one by car to Galway University Hospital. and were later released. The Health and Safety Authority and Galway Harbour Board have initiated inquiries, and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board has also been notified.
It was the second attempt to deliver two aluminium monohull fast ferries, built for the Aran Island route, to a new owner in Mauritius.
Last week a 120m cargo ship sent for the delivery ran aground in Casla Bay off Rossaveal.
That ship, the German-owned Pantanal, was refloated the following day but is still anchored in Galway Bay as it has been holed. It is understood there is no pollution risk at present.
Ship management company Harren & Partner has confirmed that four cracks were found on the outer shell plating of the ballast tank section, leading to “water ingress” – or leaks, which it said were under control.
Norwegian experts are due to undertake welding work on the vessel before it is sent to dry dock.
A second ship, the Danish-registered Thor Gitta, was despatched by Harren & Partner for the ferry pick-up and arrived in Galway docks several days ago.
An initial attempt to load the two vessels on Wednesday evening had to be cancelled due to high winds.
The marine casualty board is to investigate both incidents.
In the Pantanalcase, it is expected to focus on the decision to anchor in Casla Bay in heavy winds.
The second inquiry would focus on why the sling snapped and why the men were on board the ferry.
